Manhattan-Niagara Game Notes
GAME #7: MANHATTAN JASPERS (1-5, 0-1 MAAC) AT NIAGARA PURPLE EAGLES (3-3, 1-0 MAAC)
Sunday, December 7, 2014-1 p.m.
Niagara University, N.Y.-Gallagher Center (2,100)
Video: Purple Eagle Network
Audio: www.purpleeagles.com
GAME INFORMATION
The Jaspers (1-5, 0-1 MAAC) look to snap a four-game losing streak with this afternoon's visit to the Gallagher Center for a meeting with Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) rival Niagara (3-3, 1-0 MAAC). Manhattan suffered a 55-44 loss to Canisius in its MAAC opener on Friday night, while the Purple Eagles began conference play with a 73-40 victory over Saint Peter's. Manhattan takes a week-long break for exams before concluding its season-long five-game road trip with the annual “Battle of the Bronx” at Fordham next Sunday.
THE JASPERS
Manhattan (1-5, 0-1 MAAC) suffered its fourth straight loss on Friday night, dropping a 55-44 decision to Canisius in its MAAC opener. Junior forward Shayna Ericksen recorded her third double-double of the season against Canisius. She leads the squad with 11.5 points and 9.0 rebounds per game, as well as a .542 field goal percentage. Freshman guard Nyasha Irizarry tallies 7.2 points per outing, while junior guard Jacqui Thompson chips in 6.3 points a night to go along with a team-best 3.5 assists per contest. Thompson is also shooting .875 from the free throw line. Freshman center Kayla Grimme, meanwhile, registers 5.8 points and 6.7 rebounds per game to go along with 1.8 blocks per outing. Sophomore guard Maeve Parahus is Manhattan's top three-point shooter. She drains 1.5 treys per contest and is shooting .360 from long range. The Jaspers wrap up their season-long five-game road trip next Sunday, when they head across town to face Fordham in the annual “Battle of the Bronx.”
THE PURPLE EAGLES
After starting the season 0-3, Niagara (3-3, 1-0 MAAC) has won three straight, including a 73-40 victory over Saint Peter's in its MAAC opener on Friday night. Junior guard Sylvia Maxwell paces the Purple Eagles in scoring, averaging 12.2 points per game. She also leads the team with 3.8 assists per contest. Senior forward Val McQuade tallies 9.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.5 steals per outing, while senior guard Meghan McGuinness contributes 9.5 points a night. She's also Niagara's top three-point shooter. She sinks 2.0 treys per game and is shooting .400 from long range. Sophomore forward Victoria Rampado, last season's MAAC Rookie of the Year, adds 7.5 points per outing, and senior center Donisha Watson pulls down a team-high 6.0 rebounds per contest. Senior guard Kelly Van Leeuwen, meanwhile, distributes 3.2 assists a night. Niagara will have an 11-day break before resuming its non-conference schedule with a visit to Cleveland State on Dec. 18.
MANHATTAN VS. NIAGARA ALL-TIME
Manhattan and Niagara split the season series in 2013-14, with each team winning on the road. The Purple Eagles notched a 71-67 overtime triumph at Draddy Gymnasium on Jan. 23, 2014, while the Jaspers won the rematch, 64-56, at the Gallagher Center on Feb. 15, 2014. That victory gave Manhattan 26-25 advantage in the all-time series. Niagara, however, has won four of the last six meetings between the schools.
LAST GAME
Manhattan began its MAAC schedule with a 55-44 loss to Canisius at the Koessler Athletic Center on Friday night. The Jaspers took an early 6-1 lead before the Griffs went on an 11-0 run to go in front 12-6. Manhattan pulled within one at 16-15, but Canisius responded with another 11-0 spurt to make it 27-15, and the Griffs held a 27-18 edge at halftime. After Canisius extended the margin to 13 points early in the second half, the Jaspers pulled within seven at 42-35 with 9:14 remaining. However, it would get no closer. The Griffs ran their lead to as many as 17 points, and held on for a 55-44 victory. Shayna Ericksen had her third double-double of the season for the Jaspers, notching 11 points and 12 rebounds. Maeve Parahus added nine points, while Ashley Stec tallied seven points, 10 rebounds, five assists and three steals.